Hugh Hackett, 88, no newcomer to winning

by Amy Brittain - Jun. 21, 2008 09:34 PM
The Arizona Republic
 

Attired in red, white and blue, 88-year-old Hugh Hackett sits on a camouflaged camp stool while stretching his legs and shoulders.

He's warming up before throwing the hammer Saturday in the Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games.

Hackett quickly figures out why there's a small crowd gathered around his camp stool. "I'm the oldest this year, aren't I?" he asks.

But that isn't the only title the Albuquerque resident wants to claim.

"I'm also the most handsome, right?" he asks with a smirk.

Hackett is certainly not a newcomer to the track and field circuit. He served as the University of New Mexico's track and field coach for 20 years and established the program as a national contender during the 1960s. One of his greatest successes was the 1965 upset of the University of Southern California, a powerhouse program that had lost just one meet in the previous 20 years.

The NCAA even named Hackett Coach of the Year in 1967.

Retirement left Hackett searching for activities to maintain his health and keep his spirits high.

He played in a senior citizens softball league but became frustrated with the squad's constant bickering.

"There was just too much fighting going on," he said.

At age 68, Hackett decided to try a new individual sport: the hammer.

Twenty years later, he's still throwing.

"I'm just thankful I have the health to do it," said Hackett, who was a pilot during World War II.

Mary Clare Hackett has been married to Hugh for 24 years. The two met in the early 1950s at an Albuquerque high school. He was the track coach, and she was the head cheerleader. They reunited 30 years later at church and discovered both of their spouses had recently died.

"She's the only one I saw," Hugh said. "There was just a glow around her that day."

Mary Clare, 73, travels with her husband to every competition. Before he heads to throw the hammer, he leans in and requests a kiss.

It's a routine occurrence, as Hugh never leaves her side without a peck.

"I think he still feels like he's a kid," she said. "I'm 15 years younger than him, and I'm having trouble keeping up."

Mary Clare said a 1995 competition caused her husband's only major health scare. His heart stopped, and Hackett underwent open-heart surgery.

Before the surgery, he routinely competed in a dozen events at each meet. He now limits his participation to the hammer, weight throws and 100-meter dash. He won gold in all three events Saturday as the sole competitor in his age group, the 85-89 category.

"A lot of people come up to me and tell me what a role model he is," Mary Clare said. "We've had a lot of retiree friends who didn't have anything to live for, and they're gone now. I think this has been wonderful for him."

Fellow hammer thrower Ed Hohn, 74, said Hackett's participation inspires him to compete as long as possible.

"I'd tell him just to keep on trucking," he said.

God Bless America!